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It was funny how alcohol was truly a universal equalizer. Gods, immortals, and humans loved to socialize while drinking. Barriers went down, people felt more at ease with each other, and tongues loosened up.
When Aru pushed to his feet, Dagor and Negal followed, and even Gabi rose to greet the clan leader.
He hadn't arrived alone. One of his companions was a female who looked like an attorney, given her attire and the severe expression on her face, and the other was a male whose posture and confidence spoke of a past in the military.
Was he another guard?
“This is the clan judge, Edna,” Kian introduced the female. “And this is my brother-in-law, Andrew.”
So Dagor had been right about the female, and he was probably right about the male, but confirmation of that would have to wait.
Aru offered his hand to the judge first. “I'm Aru. Are there any legalities involved with our temporary residence in the penthouse?”
She offered him a barely-there smile. “No, and I'm not here in my capacity as an attorney and a judge.”
“Edna is also a council member,” Kian said.
The judge turned her eerily penetrating gaze to Dagor and offered him her hand. “Hello.”
She had the eyes of an oracle. Was Kian lying about who she was?
Just in case she was one, Dagor bowed his head respectfully. “I am Dagor. It's an honor to meet you, councilwoman.”
The smile she gave him was warmer than the one she'd given Aru. “It's nice to make your acquaintance, Dagor.”
The greetings were repeated with Gabriella and Negal, and then everyone sat down on whatever piece of furniture was available.
Naturally, the males had waited for the ladies to be seated first.
Kian rubbed the back of his neck. “This is awkward.” He let out a breath. “There is no polite way to do this, so I'm just going to say it as it is. Andrew is a truth-reader, and Edna can read your soul. I brought them both to reassure myself that you can be trusted. Please don't take it as an insult. I'm known for being super cautious, and I've used Andrew and Edna's services to test all newcomers.”
“What do you mean by reading our souls?” Aru asked the question that was on Dagor's mind.
“She can't read thoughts, so don't worry about that, but she can read intentions and emotions. I need to make absolutely sure that you mean no harm to any of my people.”
Dagor stifled a derisive snort. Kian was no doubt concerned about the gods within his clan, the gods that Aru thought he should hide from his companions.
“I understand,” Aru said. “But I have my own secrets that I need to keep, and I'm not a hundred percent sure that I can trust you, so we are at an impasse because I don't want Edna inside my soul.” He cast her an apologetic look. “No offense, judge.”
She dipped her head. “None taken.”
“You can test me,” Negal volunteered. “I have nothing to hide.”
“Neither do I,” Dagor said with a pointed look at Aru.
If she discovered that he resented Aru for hiding things from him and Negal, it would be a good thing. It would save him the trouble of confronting their team leader about it.
Kian didn't look happy. “What about Andrew? Do you mind if I ask you a few questions and have Andrew verify the veracity of your answers?”
“I don't mind that, but if you ask me questions I don't wish to answer, I won't.”
“Understood.” Kian turned to Edna. “Can you take Negal and Dagor to my old home office and test them there while I ask Aru a few questions?”
She hesitated. “I'd rather take one at a time. I need to concentrate, and it's difficult to do with another person in the room. Besides, I thought you wanted Andrew to verify their answers as well.”
Dagor would have preferred to stay in the living room while Kian interrogated Aru so he could hear the answers, but he didn't like that the judge seemed afraid to be alone with him and Negal.
Dagor put his hand over his chest. “You have nothing to fear from me or Negal. We mean you no harm.” He turned to Kian. “We mean no harm to any of your people, no matter whether they are immortals, Kra-ell, or others.”
